Bed or couch



Sept; 13, 1932.

J. H. PILATES BED OR coucn Filed June 20. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 R w mm M N R w m WP m H v h @m m f.

Sept. 13, 1932. J PILATES 1,876,743

BED OR COUCH Filed June 2 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I I I I I I I I I I l INVENTOR Jase b b. Blafas 9 01468? ATTORNEYS Sept. 13, 1932 J. H. PILATES 1,376,743

BED 0R COUCH Filed June 20, 1950 6 Sheeis-Sheet 4 WMW n A I l INV'ENTOR W 03' Jo eph 6! P00;

1PM ATTORNEYS J. H. PILATES Sept. 13, 1932.

BED 0R COUCH Filed 'June 20. 1950 e Sheets-Sheet S l NVENTOR Jaseph h H/0fes BY 7 Wa m ATTORNEYS Sept. 13', 1 932. J. H. PILATES 'BED OR COUCH Filed June 20, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 BY WM 9 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 13, 1932 warren STATES JOSEPH H. PILATES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BED on Canon Application filed June 20, 1930. Serial No. 462,461.

My presentinvention relates to a bed or couch. The invention is based upon the dis covery by me of the superior resting qualities of a couch or bed comprising a pair of body 5 supporting surfaces inclined to one another as by forming a dihedral angle extending in a longitudinal direction. 7

' It is, therefore, a main object to provide a bed or couch embodying this principle; a .1 further object is to provide a bed or couch,

the supporting surfaces of which when not in use will lie in one plane as in the ordinary case but which will assume the dihedral position when lain upon. A further object is to 16, 'rovide'for adjusting the degree 'of the angularity of the supporting surfaces. A further object is to provide a portable couch or the like embodying the principle of my invention and characterized by the qualities of simplicity and utility. A'still further object is to provide a combination divan and bed or socalled day-bed which likewise embodies the principle of my invention as above set forth.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds and the features of novelty will be specifically pointed out in the appended claims. 1

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof taken with the accompanying drawings, in which 7 Figure 1 is a front view taken in vertical section of apreferred embodiment;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the bed in the position of use;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along the lines 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of a portion of the mechanism for accomplishing the raising and lowering of the center of the bed;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a combination divan and bed or so-called day-bed;

Figure 7 is a view taken along the line 77 of Figure 6; J

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the parts in extended position;

Figure 9'is a View of a portable folding couch with parts broken away;

Figure 10 shows the couch in folded positiogll in which form it is most easily carried; an

1 1 Figures 11 to 15 show the bed in use and the various positions which may be assumed 5 therein. I

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 denotes the back of the bed having the customary side frames 11, 12. In the form shown, the bed is provided with a bed spring 14 0' which is attached to side members 15 and 17 In its middle, the spring 14 is supported by longitudinally extending central pieces 19, 20 which are hinged togetheras shown. When the bed is not in use the spring is caused preferably to assume the position shown in Figure '1 in which the middle of the spring is held from its lower position by means of a plurality of posts 22, 23, 24, see Figure 4, which are preferably connected by means of a cross bar 26. The posts 22, 23, 24 may 0011'- v'eniently be hinged to central member 20 by means of hinges 27, 28, 29. For holding back the posts, any convenient means may be used as, for example, a chain 30, the outside end of which is held by hook 32 engaging in a link thereof. Chain 30 is also provided with a ring 33 which engages hook 32 when the bed is in inoperative position. r

In order to adequately support the spring and mattress in its depressed position, I have provided links 34, 35 at either end of the bed which preferably are arranged so as to be adjustable so as to vary the amount of the depression of the bed when in use- Each link is conveniently provided with a tongue 37 within which fits a. pin 39 in the frame work of the bed. At its other end each link. is pivoted to a block 41, which is secured either to the front or to the back of the bed as the case may be. Each pin 39 is in turn attached to a block 43 which is partly contained in a guide-way 45 and is varied in vertical position by means of rod 47 whichpasses thru a bearing 48 and engages the block in screw-threaded relation as shown in Figure 4. Rod 47 has a knob 49 by means of which it may be turned. The rod 47 and the bearing 48 and the block'43 are preferably all contained within a housing 51. A spring 53 connects a pin 55 attached to one end of the bed spring 14 at the center thereof with a pin 57 attached to the upper part of a standard 59 (which may be the foot of the bed), a similar mechanism being provided at the head of the bed. Springs 53 are just powerful enough to lift the bed spring to horizontal position when the spring is without load, but when load is applied to the bed spring 14 the middle thereof descends until the members 19 and 20 are in contact with the links 34, 35. In order to guide the pins 55 attached to the spring, they move in slots 61 in the bed ends.

In order that the longitudinal side edges of the spring may be held in place, slots 63, 63 are preferably provided in the transverse members 65, 65 to which the spring is attached, pins 67, 67 attached to either bed standards engaging within said slots. To facilitate attaching the spring to the bed, the pins 67, or at least two of them, are made removable. A mattress 68 is shown upon the spring 14.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the bed described thus far while presenting the appearance of an ordinary bed in which the spring lies in one plane assumes the position shown in Figure 2 when the weight of a person is placed thereon. By virtue of the coil springs 53 it will be evident that the descent of the middle of the bed will be cushioned although when. getting into the bed, the person will ordinarily place his weight gradually on the spring to prevent a too sudden descent of the middle of the bed.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show the principle of my invention as applied to a day-bed. Referring to Figure 6, framework 75 and framework 77 are provided which are hinged together along the longitudinal edge by means of hinge 7 9. Each framework contains suitable cushions 81 which desirably may be made in removable sections, as shown, with a line of separation above the hinge 7 9. Framework 75 is supported at one end by a member 83 having a guideway 85 conveniently of the shape shown which provides for a rest point 87 at the top thereof, framework 75 being attached to said member 83 by means of a pin 89 which is contained in guideway 85. A similar construction is provided at the other end of the device. Guide members 83 (one at either end) are suitably attached to the frame 91 of the device by means not shown. The framework 75 is further supported acent the hinge 79 by means of a further pair of guide members 93, one at either end of the device, said guide members having'guideways 95 having a raised portion 97 adjacent the left hand thereof, as seen in Figure 7, whose use will be apparent. Frame 75 is similarly provided with a pin 99 at either end thereof for engaging in guideways 95. Frame 77 is attached at its outer longitudinal edge to standards 101, one at either end, each preferably provided with a roller 103.

When it is desired to have the day-bed assume the position of Figure 8 from the position shown in Figure 7, the handles 105 attached to frame 7 5 are grasped and the frames pulled outwardly so as to allow the pins 89 to have a position permitting them to slide down the guideways 85. This downward movement of the frame 75 does not take place, however, until the frame 77 is pulled outwardly by means, say, of handles 107, whereupon the hinge 79 moves outwardly and downwardly, during which the pins 89 and the pins 99 move along their respective guideways. Guide member 93 is pivoted at 109, this arrangement providing for adjustment of the inclination of the frames 75 and 77 to one another, thereby raising or lowering the right hand end of the guideways 93. To accomplish this adjustment, each guideway 93 may be provided with a wedge portion 111 which engages the face of block 113. As seen in Figure 7, by adjusting the position of the block 113 by the use of rod 115, one end of which is anchored in a block 117, the other end of which passes through the frame 91, and is provided with a wing nut 119, the inclination of members 75 and 77 relative to one another may be varied. For the purpose of adjusting the position of the frame 75 for sitting purposes a set screw 121 may be provided at either end which thus fixes the position of the lower portion of the frame 75 adjacent the hinge 79. Because of the inclination upwardly of the first portion of each guideway 95, the rear portion of frame 75 tends to follow screw 121 dueto gavity. It will be observed that in the divan position of Figure 7, the back and seat members are disposed so as to provide for considerable relaxation for one sitting thereon, since the persons weight is tilted back so that much of his weight is borne by the back member.

. In Figures 9 and 10 I have illustrated a form of portable couch employing the principle of my invention. This form of the device comprises a frame member 125 and frame member 127 hinged together by means of binge 129. At the outer longitudinal edge of each frame is pivotally attached depending side frames 131, 131 each of which may have asupporting middle strut 133, 133. A suitable fabric covering 135 serves as the body supporting surface. It will be noted that the side frames 131 have a movement of rotation inwardly to a position parallel to the frames 125, 127 but their movement in the opposite direction is limited by outer side portions 125 and 127 respectively of the frames 125 and 127.

In use, the device is supported on the floor or ground by both side frames 131 and also by the portion of frame 125 directly beneath the hinge 129, as .seen in Figure 9. When not in use, the device folds up compactly as seen in Figure 10.

Some of the advantages of my improved bed will be apparent from the following brief consideration of a few of the physiological factors which come into play during human rest and sleep: 7

The human spine is in the form of an arch which is curved inward and during the day the arch has a tendency to increase its inward curvature. Therefore, one of the things accomplished by sleep in bed is a gradual straightening of this arch. However, this desirable result is only imperfectly accomplished by the usual soft bed which supports the spine throughout its length and prevents it from straightening to its proper position. A simple remedy for this would be a flat and very hard bed but this, while tending to bring about this result, has other disadvantages and produces discomfort. However, by having two supporting surfaces which are inclined to one another, other parts of the body, as for example the ribs, the legs and the arms, are given additional support which permits full relaxation of the muscles controlling these members. Thus, in Figure 11, it will be evident that the arms and shoulders are supported in a position which permits relaxation and better circulation. Figure 12 shows a position for resting and reading or writing. It will be noted from this figure that my improved bed or couch affords relaxation even in this position inasmuch as support is given to both legs, hips, shoulders and arms in such a manner that little muscular tension is required. In Figure 13, it will be noted that a person lying partly prone and on his side hassupport in both these directions whereas in a flat bed all the weight must be borne by either the side or the belly. Figure 14 shows a position in which the legs are bent at the knees and partially folded together in a position somewhat resembling the birth position which, as is recognized, makes for complete relaxation of the muscles of the legs. Figure 15 shows a particular advantage of my improved bed by reason of the fact that the covers are held substantially away from the person and permit him to turn about without deranging the covers and also to permit free circulation of air. At the same time, strong drafts as from an open window, which are undesirable and conduce to colds, are prevented of-access.

A further important advantage of my improved device consists in the ability to correct faulty posture and this is greatly facilitated because the inclination of the support-v ing surfaces is capable of adjustment.

While I have illustrated and described in detail certain preferred forms of my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the invention embodied in other structures. I do not, therefore, de-

sire to limit myself to the specific constructions illustrated, but intend to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principle may be utilized.

I claim:

1. A bed comprising a pair of side rails and a member disposed between said side rails and forming a surface for the support of a persons body, said member being shaped so that the central longitudinal portion thereof is disposed substantially below the level of said side rails and the longitudinal edges thereof remain at substantially the level of said side rails so that the surface forms a dihedral angle having sides sloping downwardly toward the longitudinal center line from the side rails. V

2. A bed comprising'a pair of side rails and a member disposed between said side rails and forming a surface for the support of a persons body, said member being hinged along the longitudinal center line-thereof and so designed and constructed that when the bed is occupied by a persons body the central longitudinal portion thereof may be disposed substantially below the level of said side rails and the longitudinal edges thereof remain at substantially the level of said side rails so that the surface forms a dihedral angle having sides sloping downwardly toward the longitudinal center line from the side rails.

, 3. A bed comprising a pair of side rails and a member disposed between said side rails and forming a surface for the support of a persons body, said member being hinged along the longitudinal center line thereof and so designed and constructed that when the bed is occupied. by a 'persons body the central longitudinal portion thereof is disposed substantially below the level of said side rails and the longitudinal edges thereof remain at substantially the level of said side rails so that the surface forms a dihedral angle hav-' ing sides sloping downwardly toward the longitudinal center line from the siderails, and collapsible means normally maintaining said surface in a horizontal plane.

4. A bed comprising a pair of side rails and a memberdisposed between said side rails and forming a surface for the support of a persons body, said member being hinged along the longitudinal center line thereof and so designed and constructed that when the bed is occupied by a 'persons body the central 1 longitudinal portion thereof may be disposed substantially below the level of said side rails and the longitudinal edges thereof remain at substantially the level of said side rails so that the surface forms a dihedral angle havand means for varying this angle.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature to this specification.v y V JOSEPH H. PILATES.

mg sides sloping downwardly toward the: longitudinal center line from the side rails, 

